I read here a lot but rarely post because I do not like to be a pot stirrer. Just about everything to do with politics is opinions and it is hard to share an opinion without making it sound as though you want everyone else to drop theirs and agree with you.
However, I have to disagree with one portion of what some are saying in regards to the Electoral College. This fact, probably will not change any one's opinion on if they believe we should have it or not...and that is not my intention. The electoral college is in place for several reasons, one of which is to create equality among the states -and that it does. It creates an equilibrium of the votes of the less populous states, not by making them equal, but by giving proportional weight to each state.
No matter how you feel about the results of the election, it is inaccurate to state that the electoral college "went against" the popular vote. The way our current system stands, you cannot look at either part to the puzzle independently. You cannot look only at the popular vote and not the electoral votes. I am not saying this is the way it should be, but the popular in and of itself means NOTHING. The fact is that voting within districts within states determine who gets the electoral college votes. The complexity of that is then multiplied by that fact that each state is allowed to determine how to distribute the allotted electoral college votes.
Again, I am not trying to argue that you are wrong it you feel the system is outdated and a pure democratic system of popular vote should be in place. Fight for that! But, I do not think it is OK to say "the system failed" or "the popular vote was ignored" as that is not the case. The system did what the system was designed to do. Just as it did in the election of 2000.
@cottingham3 I get what you're saying but I don't think it should matter what the population of a state is. You shouldn't win because more states voted for you. You should win because the people elected you. We say we are a democracy but the electoral college is anti-democracy. In a true democracy, the majority would win, and that would be the popular vote. Again, I would feel this way even if HRC won the electoral vote and Trump won the popular vote.
There are other reasons the electoral college came to be and it's not just because of making it more fair for low population states as we think of it today. One reason is because the government did not trust the citizens to be smart enough to elect a president. Another is because the South realized the North would greatly outnumber them in a direct election system since women were able to vote sooner in the North than the South and there were many slaves in the South who contributed to the population but obviously could not vote. The electoral college allowed Southern states to count slaves as 3/5 of a person to boost up their numbers. If slaves were freed to the North, that Southern state the slave was from would lose electoral power.
I don't agree with a system that basically evened the playing field for states who refused to give women the right to vote and took advantage of their slave population, and actually gave reason to continue slavery. I do think the electoral college is antiquated and anti-democratic.
@cottingham3 I tend to agree. If it was based solely on popular vote than the smaller states wouldn't have much say. It would also drastically change campaigning to where they'd only campaign in larger areas while ignoring less populated areas. Right now, each county has a fair stake in their opinions being heard. However, I do think they need to reevaluate the quantities of electoral votes. The system needs updated to match the current population trend. And the less populated areas need better educated on the candidates. I think campaigning failed those smaller areas this time.
@mariposa_767s and @cottingham3 I disagree that each county or person has a fair stake in elections under the electoral college. I live in an extremely liberal county that dominates my state's politics (despite rural areas being conservative). No one pays attention to us on the national stage. The democrats only come here to fundraise, not listen to our voices, and conservatives don't even bother coming here at all. A conservative voter's vote counts for very little here in a presidential election. I don't think it's fair that the power of a single vote counts for much less in some populous states (e.g., CA) over less populous states (e.g., NH). And whether we go with a popular vote or electoral college, campaigning is going to be uneven. With the electoral college, disproportionate amounts of time and money are spent in states like PA, IA, MI, OH, etc. I don't think it's fair that a few small states determine national politics - I'd rather see a system where each person's vote counts the same as the next person's. It seems the most fair way to me. But, I acknowledge that I lean away from the state's rights arguments that were used when the electoral college was founded. And that is the crux of the argument - state's rights vs. individual rights.
@riversong15 you do make very good points. I live in a red state among red counties. I'm moderate but feel like my vote rarely matters. Many here vote party (which boggles my mind!). I vote by person. I guess I should've said state instead of county. I feel like taking away the electoral college would take a lot away from what each state (collectively) wants. As far as disproportionate, that's why the quantities should be reevaluated. Bigger states get more votes to make it more "fair". All that being said, I fully understand the individual rights standpoint. My vote doesn't count here.
Guys I got sucked into reading FB comments on an article discussing a study that showed paid maternity leave helps with mental health in women and life expectancy later on. One man specifically: "I don't want to pay for you to be home. If you want to stay home that's fine but your company shouldn't have to pay for it and neither should I".
America. I'd love to see him go through the experience and tell us all how he feels after that.
I love when people think taking care of a baby/child is some kind of vacation, not to mention recovering after delivery. People are clueless and selfish.
It's like saying we don't want to pay men to sit home after they've been hurt or have gone through a medical procedure. Except, wait, there's disability for those things.
How do you guys feel about Confederate monuments being taken down? I'm a bit torn. I totally understand taking them down because it's a black mark in our history and it's offensive. However, I don't think we should attempt to erase that part of history like it never happened. We should recognize it as a dark part of our history, never forget it, and learn from it. Idk...I think they could almost add something to the monuments talking about how we recognize this was a stain on our history and it's something we don't want to repeat. Thoughts?
Chiming in here on the electoral college discussion. @mariposa_767s and @RiverSong15, the crux of the problem you're describing is, really, neither the electoral college nor the popular vote. It's gerrymandering and redistricting, and unfortunately it's a major flaw of both parties. The district vote drives the electoral college count. Hence red/blue districts. Ret. Sen. Olympia Snow started a non-partisan non-profit, which has one of its major projects an effort to encourage nonpartisan voter districting committees to control the district drawing process.
As to the fact we are a democracy- technically we're not. America is a republic. But the distinction does not make much difference today. It just gets back to participating in a civic society. My personal opinion is that if you did not participate in politics (I.e., vote) you have no right to either gloat or complain. The sad fact is that the majority of Americans can't be bothered to exercise their civic rights and duties and vote. Which is how we ended up with the current state of politics.
On women's rights, I don't want to be melodramatic but I really feel like there is a war on women in Congress and the governance of this country right now. Between access to adequate health care, gender parity in employment, and the intersection of the two, it is a dismaying time to be a woman.
One part of socioeconomic issues that I feel is ignored is the cost of the social programs people want. I personally believe in a fiscally responsible, limited government. But, that said, if the will of the people is for something like universal healthcare or universal education or one other such program, the government has to be able to pay for it somehow! So, your choice is either low taxes-low social benefits, or higher taxes-social benefits. Don't want to pay more taxes? You can't have the social programs you want. People are quick to point to various European countries with robust social programs. Their citizens pay 50-80% income taxes to get those programs. Pick your poison.
@mariposa_767s I personally am for taking them down. I agree with what you're saying, we shouldn't erase that part of our history but they don't come off as apologetic like, for example, Holocaust memorials do. It seems as though people are prideful of them, which is the real issue. If they were memorials, I'd have no problem with them.
@curiousfool1 I wish it was easier to go vote. Last November, I was a single, full time working mom (SO hadn't moved here yet). I couldn't afford time off to vote and I felt weird taking my son. I ended up voting absentee so I could vote at a time that was convenient. But nothing about it is convenient. I also feel bad for those with transportation issues. Even voting absentee requires transportation to either the office or to a notary. When I voted in the primaries, it was at my son's preschool, so I could vote after I dropped him off. However, I had to be late to work that day.
I noticed the French had their election on a Saturday. While having a weekend election would have it's downfalls, I think it would be easier for the working class with children to go vote. We wouldn't have to make arrangements for childcare before or after work. Parents could go together and alternate keeping the kids occupied. Or grandparents could take the kids to lunch while the parents vote. Or! perhaps people could register at locations close to their place of employment. It would be easy to run over close to work and vote on a lunch hour. I work 30 minutes from home. Idk...I just think they make it intentionally inconvenient.
@mariposa_767s I agree with not erasing history, but these "war heroes" were on the losing side. They didn't win. While they are Americans and we need to talk about what took place, that can happen in museums. I like the idea of a memorial serving as a reminder of what took place, but these statues weren't serving that purpose. We should not continue to honor men who fought so ardently to keep people enslaved. I equate it to having a Hitler statue in Germany in public squares.
I think that's the key here. Remember and teach. Not honor.
It still boggles my mind that Trump admires Andrew Jackson. Pretty sure he's completely ignorant about history. I'm all for removing him from the $20 (pretty sure it's the 20, but I don't carry cash). He shouldn't be a celebrated president.
I find it funny that Andrew Jackson is on any bank note given the fact that he dismantled the national bank in addition to his atrocities. But that's none of my business.
Trump too tired to appear at Saudi Arabia engagements. Kate Middleton only cancelled her engagements during her pregnancy because she had HG and literally had to be hospitalized, but sure, you're tired from your meetings.
Trump too tired to appear at Saudi Arabia engagements. Kate Middleton only cancelled her engagements during her pregnancy because she had HG and literally had to be hospitalized, but sure, you're tired from your meetings.
Didn't Hillary cancel one appearance on the campaign trail and people were all OMG FRAGILE WOMAN UNFIT FOR JOB?!
@ArtificialRed@DuchessofCambridge Yes! Hillary ws unfit because she doesn't have stamina. Jeb Bush didn't have stamina either. Trump has great stamina! The best stamina! A president must have stamina! Also, according to Trump, Michelle Obama offended so many people by not wearing a headscarf in the Middle East! How dare she!!!! Melania? No headscarf... Now, I don't think either woman should have had to wear a head scarf, but it's the hypocrisy of the situation that gets me.
The hypocrisy of his presidency and his supporters drives me batty. There's not much I loathe more than a hypocrite - stick to your beliefs and principles people! I can respect different viewpoints. I can't respect a hypocrite. I believe this so much that if Trump had run as a Democrat, I would have either not voted or voted for the republican. Even if it was Ted Cruz. That's how much I believe Trump is dangerous to our democracy. It'd be hypocritical of me to do anything else. And I've lost so much respect for friends I know who are giving Trump a pass for the same actions and statements that they villified Obama for. I don't give Democrats passes on hypocrisy or poor behavior because I agree with their politics.... what ever happened to Country being above Party? Or personal character above Party?
@RiverSong15 absolutely. I am NOT a party over country kind of person. Granted, I'm Independent but no way would I have been voting Republican this year - and I did in the last election! I barely wanted to vote Democrat TBH, HRC is not my fave (though I think she had to go through a lot of BS literally because she was a woman). I debated going third party but realized that would hurt HRC more than DT.
I just can't do it anymore. Trying to reason with people why the Wall is the dumbest idea ever is a lost cause for some. The level of ignorance in the US is mind blowing. Also the amount of hate, sexist, conservative and alt right values being perpetuated by our administration and their supporters makes me ashamed to be an American.
I don't care if I offend a Trump supporter on here...what the President stands for isn't the America that welcomes me or my family and I don't want anything to f***king do with anyone who supports him or his agenda. I will be distantly respectful, but stay the f*** away from me.
@dragonfly87-2 yes to everything you said. How am I supposed to be the proud American everyone wants me to be when my family has dealt with racism my whole life and been told we're different and weird and not real Americans? After all that I'm supposed to turn around and be like THIS IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!! ?
Aside from the racial stuff, there's the extreme disrespect towards women and the incredible selfishness of this country. I have heard from Canadians themselves that they do not feel the burden of their national healthcare. The taxes they pay are negligible in comparison to the benefit they receive. And as you said, here corporations have tax cuts and regardless of our corporate tax percentage being pretty high, NO ONE PAYS IT. There are so many loopholes for corporations to get around, not to mention the absurd cap on the wealthy. The middle class keeps America afloat and it cannot afford to do so.
Also, sure European countries may pay more, but the benefits GREATLY outweigh the costs. Can you imagine not having to pay for anything medical? Being able to go to college and not pay $800/month or more for years and years afterwards? I'm betting your taxes would be lower than repaying loans over a period of 30 years.
TL;DR: In this country, we do not care about others. I'm looking at you, gov people who happily vote to take away women's healthcare rights, don't think children in need should be fed after school, and want to defund public schools.
@dragonfly87-2 Funny you should bring up corporate welfare and taxes. I am a tax attorney. I would disagree with you about characterizing the tax treatment of corporations as "welfare," but wholehearted agree with what I imply as your opinion tax reform is needed. Oh yes! We need a complete and utter overhaul of our entire tax system in the US, personal income and corporate income tax alike. The Code doesn't work at all any more, for anyone. The one and only good thing that had a chance of coming out of this administration was tax reform, but I fear Trump's abhorrent means of administration and the real concerns over his associates' connections to foreign powers have killed any chance. No one is willing to put their job on the line to get it done.
I think it was more because our intelligence shared the intel with the media and less about Trump, but I totally agree that it's embarrassing. Our press reports on everything and it's partly what stirs the pot. They were calling it terrorism by ISIS before it even came out that that's what it was. So if it ended up being domestic, it wouldn't have mattered because our media already started the narrative. I believe this is intentional on the part of our government. We also released the name of the suspect before all of the victims' names were released. His father commented to the press before he (father) was arrested. That's not how the Brits wanted it to go down.
I used to live in Europe and appreciated how they'd investigate first and then report the facts. It keeps extra emotions from getting stirred. You're allowed to mourn and then be pissed off at the facts rather than be pissed off at all of the what ifs and what ifs from those what ifs until the facts come out.
@mariposa_767s you're right, I misunderstood. She is going to talk to Trump about the leaks, he himself didn't leak. Agreed, I do like the investigate first-then report approach.
@duchessofcambridge I can imagine the conversation. Trump will say "yes, you know, the media is so, so bad...I mean, so terrible. We have to do something about that...you know, I've been keeping them out of my meeting for that very reason...totally agree. We all know it. Terrible."
I am disgusted that as a country we continue to send out the message that as long as you are a white male, you can sexually assault anyone, even incestually, and nothing too bad will happen to you. "The stigma is enough of a punishment". That makes me feel like dry heaving. Shame on all the people who can read the account of what a victim goes through for months, years after being attacked and how it ruins their lives, and still not care. I am so so sad and repulsed.
Everytime something about him comes up on my feed (which isn't very often and I do go out of my way to avoid American politics even though I shouldnt) I'm upset by it.
Imagine reading this in your baby book! I was on the train when I got to this passage, laughed out loud and immediately posted on FB. Must have been written a while ago!
I just want to say, I love the weather channel right now. They are subtly, but cleverly trolling Trump given his recent (and stupid) decision to withdrawal from the Paris Accord.
Check out their home page...and the articles that appear below the main article: https://weather.com/
I'm so upset about so many things today. I'll condense to Twitter rants are so so stupid and infuriating and I'm incredibly disappointed that when terrorists are reported by concerned mosques, neighbors, and families, they are still able to walk free because excuses, yet the Muslim community is still blamed for all terrorist actions and told they're not doing enough. I can't with the world today and should probably take a break for the sake of my baby.
Re: Current Events Opinions
However, I have to disagree with one portion of what some are saying in regards to the Electoral College. This fact, probably will not change any one's opinion on if they believe we should have it or not...and that is not my intention. The electoral college is in place for several reasons, one of which is to create equality among the states -and that it does. It creates an equilibrium of the votes of the less populous states, not by making them equal, but by giving proportional weight to each state.
No matter how you feel about the results of the election, it is inaccurate to state that the electoral college "went against" the popular vote. The way our current system stands, you cannot look at either part to the puzzle independently. You cannot look only at the popular vote and not the electoral votes. I am not saying this is the way it should be, but the popular in and of itself means NOTHING. The fact is that voting within districts within states determine who gets the electoral college votes. The complexity of that is then multiplied by that fact that each state is allowed to determine how to distribute the allotted electoral college votes.
Again, I am not trying to argue that you are wrong it you feel the system is outdated and a pure democratic system of popular vote should be in place. Fight for that! But, I do not think it is OK to say "the system failed" or "the popular vote was ignored" as that is not the case. The system did what the system was designed to do. Just as it did in the election of 2000.
There are other reasons the electoral college came to be and it's not just because of making it more fair for low population states as we think of it today. One reason is because the government did not trust the citizens to be smart enough to elect a president. Another is because the South realized the North would greatly outnumber them in a direct election system since women were able to vote sooner in the North than the South and there were many slaves in the South who contributed to the population but obviously could not vote. The electoral college allowed Southern states to count slaves as 3/5 of a person to boost up their numbers. If slaves were freed to the North, that Southern state the slave was from would lose electoral power.
I don't agree with a system that basically evened the playing field for states who refused to give women the right to vote and took advantage of their slave population, and actually gave reason to continue slavery. I do think the electoral college is antiquated and anti-democratic.
DS1 is 7. DD is 1. DS2 is coming in late April.
DS1 is 7. DD is 1. DS2 is coming in late April.
America. I'd love to see him go through the experience and tell us all how he feels after that.
It's like saying we don't want to pay men to sit home after they've been hurt or have gone through a medical procedure. Except, wait, there's disability for those things.
How do you guys feel about Confederate monuments being taken down? I'm a bit torn. I totally understand taking them down because it's a black mark in our history and it's offensive. However, I don't think we should attempt to erase that part of history like it never happened. We should recognize it as a dark part of our history, never forget it, and learn from it. Idk...I think they could almost add something to the monuments talking about how we recognize this was a stain on our history and it's something we don't want to repeat. Thoughts?
DS1 is 7. DD is 1. DS2 is coming in late April.
As to the fact we are a democracy- technically we're not. America is a republic. But the distinction does not make much difference today. It just gets back to participating in a civic society. My personal opinion is that if you did not participate in politics (I.e., vote) you have no right to either gloat or complain. The sad fact is that the majority of Americans can't be bothered to exercise their civic rights and duties and vote. Which is how we ended up with the current state of politics.
On women's rights, I don't want to be melodramatic but I really feel like there is a war on women in Congress and the governance of this country right now. Between access to adequate health care, gender parity in employment, and the intersection of the two, it is a dismaying time to be a woman.
One part of socioeconomic issues that I feel is ignored is the cost of the social programs people want. I personally believe in a fiscally responsible, limited government. But, that said, if the will of the people is for something like universal healthcare or universal education or one other such program, the government has to be able to pay for it somehow! So, your choice is either low taxes-low social benefits, or higher taxes-social benefits. Don't want to pay more taxes? You can't have the social programs you want. People are quick to point to various European countries with robust social programs. Their citizens pay 50-80% income taxes to get those programs. Pick your poison.
DS1 is 7. DD is 1. DS2 is coming in late April.
@curiousfool1 I wish it was easier to go vote. Last November, I was a single, full time working mom (SO hadn't moved here yet). I couldn't afford time off to vote and I felt weird taking my son. I ended up voting absentee so I could vote at a time that was convenient. But nothing about it is convenient. I also feel bad for those with transportation issues. Even voting absentee requires transportation to either the office or to a notary. When I voted in the primaries, it was at my son's preschool, so I could vote after I dropped him off. However, I had to be late to work that day.
I noticed the French had their election on a Saturday. While having a weekend election would have it's downfalls, I think it would be easier for the working class with children to go vote. We wouldn't have to make arrangements for childcare before or after work. Parents could go together and alternate keeping the kids occupied. Or grandparents could take the kids to lunch while the parents vote. Or! perhaps people could register at locations close to their place of employment. It would be easy to run over close to work and vote on a lunch hour. I work 30 minutes from home. Idk...I just think they make it intentionally inconvenient.
DS1 is 7. DD is 1. DS2 is coming in late April.
I think that's the key here. Remember and teach. Not honor.
@elizabethschyler yep...that makes total sense!
It still boggles my mind that Trump admires Andrew Jackson. Pretty sure he's completely ignorant about history. I'm all for removing him from the $20 (pretty sure it's the 20, but I don't carry cash). He shouldn't be a celebrated president.
DS1 is 7. DD is 1. DS2 is coming in late April.
DS1 is 7. DD is 1. DS2 is coming in late April.
The hypocrisy of his presidency and his supporters drives me batty. There's not much I loathe more than a hypocrite - stick to your beliefs and principles people! I can respect different viewpoints. I can't respect a hypocrite. I believe this so much that if Trump had run as a Democrat, I would have either not voted or voted for the republican. Even if it was Ted Cruz. That's how much I believe Trump is dangerous to our democracy. It'd be hypocritical of me to do anything else. And I've lost so much respect for friends I know who are giving Trump a pass for the same actions and statements that they villified Obama for. I don't give Democrats passes on hypocrisy or poor behavior because I agree with their politics.... what ever happened to Country being above Party? Or personal character above Party?
I don't care if I offend a Trump supporter on here...what the President stands for isn't the America that welcomes me or my family and I don't want anything to f***king do with anyone who supports him or his agenda. I will be distantly respectful, but stay the f*** away from me.
Aside from the racial stuff, there's the extreme disrespect towards women and the incredible selfishness of this country. I have heard from Canadians themselves that they do not feel the burden of their national healthcare. The taxes they pay are negligible in comparison to the benefit they receive. And as you said, here corporations have tax cuts and regardless of our corporate tax percentage being pretty high, NO ONE PAYS IT. There are so many loopholes for corporations to get around, not to mention the absurd cap on the wealthy. The middle class keeps America afloat and it cannot afford to do so.
Also, sure European countries may pay more, but the benefits GREATLY outweigh the costs. Can you imagine not having to pay for anything medical? Being able to go to college and not pay $800/month or more for years and years afterwards? I'm betting your taxes would be lower than repaying loans over a period of 30 years.
TL;DR: In this country, we do not care about others. I'm looking at you, gov people who happily vote to take away women's healthcare rights, don't think children in need should be fed after school, and want to defund public schools.
I think it was more because our intelligence shared the intel with the media and less about Trump, but I totally agree that it's embarrassing. Our press reports on everything and it's partly what stirs the pot. They were calling it terrorism by ISIS before it even came out that that's what it was. So if it ended up being domestic, it wouldn't have mattered because our media already started the narrative. I believe this is intentional on the part of our government. We also released the name of the suspect before all of the victims' names were released. His father commented to the press before he (father) was arrested. That's not how the Brits wanted it to go down.
I used to live in Europe and appreciated how they'd investigate first and then report the facts. It keeps extra emotions from getting stirred. You're allowed to mourn and then be pissed off at the facts rather than be pissed off at all of the what ifs and what ifs from those what ifs until the facts come out.
ETA Trump is still a loud mouthed idiot.
DS1 is 7. DD is 1. DS2 is coming in late April.
DS1 is 7. DD is 1. DS2 is coming in late April.
I am disgusted that as a country we continue to send out the message that as long as you are a white male, you can sexually assault anyone, even incestually, and nothing too bad will happen to you. "The stigma is enough of a punishment". That makes me feel like dry heaving. Shame on all the people who can read the account of what a victim goes through for months, years after being attacked and how it ruins their lives, and still not care. I am so so sad and repulsed.
Let's hope NOT!
Check out their home page...and the articles that appear below the main article:
https://weather.com/